The
problem with
this project
was the fact
that we had
no clue what
terrible
shape the
metal façade
was in when
we were contracted
for the job.
The original
pink lead
paint was
so thick
(over 20
layers),
that it was
literally
holding the
entire thing
together.
It was a very ugly surprise when we got up there, half way into the project and started stripping off the old paint and discovered nothing but Swiss cheese to work with. Least we forget to mention, the reaction of our building owner when she was given the news of the additional costs associated with reconstruction the elaborate structure!
Every
owner of
an historical
building
must face
the realization
that there
are going
to be unexpected “wrenches” flying
everywhere
when dealing
with the
restoration
of these
old ladies.
It is just
a fact of
life. As
good as we
are, we just
can’t
know everything
that is going
to happen,
we can suspect,
we can assume,
and we can
warn you
about….
but
we just can’t
know for
sure.
We
always
have
people
ask us
for the
worst
case
scenario,
and they
get a
proposal
for say…. $30,000.00 and end up with a final bill of $14,850.00…but
there
is also
the homeowner
who ends
up spending
$8,000.00
more
than
they
had planned
because
half
their
clapboards
were
rotted
and they
did not
believe
us when
we told
them
they
would
fall
apart
when
we stripped
them.
The doors were stripped, oiled and stained using a beautifully deep hand mixed color and a linseed UV varnish for durability against the salt and car exhaust.
The
ceiling
was originally
painted
with over
20 layers
of ugly
pink paint
and we
never knew
what beautiful
wood was
underneath
until we
stripped
it down.
We were
going to
paint it,
but once
we saw
the results
of the
staining
Holly has
done, it
was decided
the hand
painted
heirloom
flowers
were just
the thing.
Only noticeable
to those
who are
sitting
at the
outside
café in the summertime, they are for those guests who notice the “little” things that Al’s
is so famous
for.
This
color scheme
was as
usual chosen
by us and
was the
first place
winner
in the
Chicago
lands Finest
Painted
Ladies
contest.
We have
been in
the color
consulting
business
for over
20 years
and always
do our
best when
we are
allowed
to “do our thing”.
We
chose the
colors
with some
basic guidance
for the
building
owner,
such as …I hate this color and like this color….and we choose where every color goes, we decide when to tweak a color and if it just isn’t
working.
We have
a pretty
good track
record.
